Governor Kelly Welcomes Secretary Cardona,
Back to School Bus Tour to Kansas
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly welcomed U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona to Topeka to kick off his “Back to School Bus Tour 2023: Raise the Bar.” Governor Kelly and Secretary Cardona toured the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC) to learn more about how Kansas public schools are preparing students for the modern workforce.
“I was pleased to welcome Secretary Cardona to Kansas to showcase how the Sunflower State continues to prioritize our students, families, and teachers,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We’ve fully funded public schools for five years in a row – making it possible for more students to engage in the kind of hands-on learning that will prepare them for future success.”
The tour was led by Topeka USD 501 Superintendent Tiffany Anderson, TCALC Principal Dustin Dick, and Zack Buffington, a Topeka West High School. They were joined by Randy Watson, Commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education.
Created through business partnerships, TCALC is a high school program designed for juniors and seniors to explore professions in a hands-on learning environment and prepare for high-demand careers after graduation. Students are mentored by employers and exposed directly to careers they are interested in pursuing.
The tour related to an announcement Governor Kelly made in July that Kansas has been selected to participate in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship. Through the Policy Academy, Kansas will develop a strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities to youth ages 16 and older to help them build the skills needed for the modern workforce.
Photos from today’s event are available for media use:
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